A fast-moving wildfire known as the Cody Fire erupted Wednesday afternoon in Arizona, rapidly charring over 1,000 acres within hours and forcing mandatory evacuations in parts of Pinal County.
The blaze ignited around 3:30 p.m. local time in the Coronado National Forest just outside Tucson, fueled by dry brush, low humidity, and gusty winds. By evening, the fire had surged in size, prompting authorities to order evacuations for several communities near Oracle.
Officials placed additional areas of Oracle and neighboring San Manuel under “set” status—indicating residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
As of Thursday morning, the Cody Fire remains 0% contained, with flames continuing to push eastward overnight. Fire officials from the U.S. Forest Service’s Coronado National Forest division confirmed that conditions remain volatile, with critical fire weather expected to persist through the day.
Forecasters warn that peak wind gusts could reach 30 mph by Thursday afternoon, shifting to the southwest and further complicating firefighting efforts.
More than a hundred firefighters are battling the blaze using ground crews and aerial resources, racing to build containment lines around the growing perimeter. A temporary flight restriction has been issued over the affected area to ensure air operations can proceed safely.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we urge residents to stay alert and follow all evacuation guidance,” fire officials said in a statement.
The cause of the Cody Fire remains under investigation.
